4chapter four

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CHAPTER FOUR: ANALYSIS OF SURVEY RESULTS

4.1 Analysis of Identified Problems and Remedies

After the case study building have been put through thorough scrutiny, a number

of problems were identified which should be solved by the best means possible. The act

of solving these building problems is a right step towards their conservation.

Conservation in the sense of the word relates to the preventive measures taken against

agents and catalysts of building decay and less emphasis should be placed on the curative

or remedial measures. Some of the ways by which the conservation of the Gidan Makama

Museum buildings can be ensured include the following:

4.1.1 Control of Moisture Attack:

The action of rising damp and precipitation is an undeniable threat to the survival

of mud building. Moisture gradually wears away the fabric of the building and could lead

to external collapse if proper preventive measures are not taken. Under normal

circumstances, constructing a good and water proof foundation would have put a check to

that.

However, the buildings in the museum do not have foundation and this leaves out

the curative measures as the only option. Some of the measures that cold be employed

are:

Remedy 1 : The interior and exterior walls should be coated with water proof Makuba

around their bases at least once in every two years to reduce the effect of rising damp.


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4.1.4.2 Walls:

Walls are the vertical enclosing components of the building envelope; hence they

have a significant function of keeping out harsh elements of weather.

They should therefore be treated with protective and pleasant materials in the

interior. In the education and administrative areas, where internal walls are finished with

Emulsion paints, the paint should be of high quality and should be recoated periodically.

4.1.4.3 Openings (Doors, Windows etc.):

Openings serve as elements of circulation, visualization and ventilation. Doors

should be treated with care, and doors installed should be of the type that can tolerate

minor knocks and abuses. They should also be changed when the need arises. Some

galleries in the museums do not have doors, rather they have doorways.

Doorways (archways) should be treated with durable materials on their edges,

different from the wall materials.

Windows panes and panels should be cleaned regularly to prevent settlement of

dust particles. Windows should also be changed periodically when the peculiar need

arises.

4.1.4.4 Roofs and ceilings:

The roof is another important part of the buildings envelope which protects the

building interior from rainfall and other possible agents of deterioration.

Most of the museum roofs however are flat, low-dome shaped roofs except for the

new galleries (i.e. 8,9,10 and 11) which employ the use of trusses.


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4.2.1 Renovations/Refurbishments:

This entails the repair of damage building elements/components as well as parts

of the buildings enclosure itself. Cracked walls are repaired, damaged or failing roof

trusses are changed, and new coat of plaster is applied to give the building a face-lift.

This is the case particularly with the museums gallery 10 which exhibits musical

instruments from ancient times.

4.2.2 Reconstructions:

At times, due to old age and neglect, part of an old building might be damaged

beyond repair. In such instances, it becomes imperative, if conservation is the ultimate

aim, to reconstruct these parts. The galleries 4 and 5 of the museum have collapsed

totally and the administration, as a matter of utmost importance, pledges to undertake the

task of reconstruction as soon as the necessary funds are acquired.

Reconstructions therefore, at times could be helpful in the conservation of a

buildings structure.

4.2.3 General Maintenance:

Buildings deteriorate, gradually breakdown and eventually collapse mainly due to

neglect. General inspection and repair put a check to these agents of deterioration.

Cleaning of wall and ceiling surfaces from cobwebs, cleaning of floor surfaces from dust,

early repair of minor cracks, control of manmade hazards all elongate the lifespan of the

building.


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4.3 Maintenance Routines on the Case Study

Maintenance routines, though not adhered to strictly, normally are carried out on

daily, weekly, monthly, annually and perennial basis.

4.3.1 Daily Routines

Inspection of building conditions, general cleaning of the complex including

sweeping of the courtyard, galleries and the administrative and resource sections

(particularly the library)

4.3.2 Weekly Routines

Inspection of galleries, to clean off dirt, especially around the display boxes,

general cleaning and inspection of electrical installations and generating set.

4.3.3 Monthly Routines

Inspection of rain water outlet on roof, repair of minor crack, general checks

should be carried out by supervisors responsible for the upkeep of the museum structures.

4.3.4 Yearly Routines

Inspection of roof structure, gutters, doors, windows and all means of escape

should be carried out annually. Repair and servicing of electrical and mechanical

installations, changing of fuses, bulbs, tubes and overhauling of air conditioning plants

should also be considered. There should also be general inspection by the technical

supervisor.


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4.3.5 Perennial Routines

Technical report should be made to the chief architect on the conditions of the

buildings (especially of structural systems). The chief architect should make necessary

recommendations concerning the maintenance plan after inspection. He should also draw

attention to any problems that should be kept under observation and monitored for the

next perennial check.

These routines unfortunately are not being strictly followed, most times due to the

paucity of funds and some other times due to neglect. The Gidan Makama museum

complex underwent a major face life of recent, which is a welcome step towards

conserving the buildings.

This conservation effort however should be carried out periodically to sustain

what has been done already and to fully protect the building from the dangerous forces of

building decay.

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